This happened in the year 2008. My grandfather was admitted to the hospital due to the fact that he was feeling very ill. Upon further investigation of the medical staff, it was discovered that a vein had detached from my grandfather's heart. He refused the option of a operation. After 2 days in the hospital, my grandfather was admitted to hospice. From the time that my grandfather entered hospice, I was with him a lot of the time. The first night there at around 11:30p.m, I turned off the light as he was sleeping and assured him that I would be right next to him. I was lying on a couch that was in the room next to the bed. A little after midnight he began telling me that he loved me many times over and over.

Then I smelled cigarette smoke, which I thought was odd. Upon smelling the smoke I then sensed someone pass by me. I opened my eyes thinking the nurse had stepped in but no one was there. I closed my eyes again and felt the presence of what felt like many people walking passed me. My grandfather then started talking. I kept my eyes closed and just listened. He said in a very surprised voice 'I can't believe how beautiful you all look.' He said it in awe and more than once. He said, 'Where did the baby go?' Let me see the baby again.' Then he said, 'Where did Louie go?' Louie was a brother of his who was deceased for many years. My grandmother lost a child at birth. He then kept saying 'I know, I know, I know.' Over and over again. He then said to me, 'Andrea am I going to get better?' I said something like, 'Maybe in time,', which I now regret saying. He then resumed his conversation with 'I know, I know, I know.' He then said ,'What about Carla?' Carla is his daughter who is very much alive. He said, 'I know' a few more times and then said, 'I know. I'm a big baby.' He then said, 'ok, I give up.' and took of his oxygen mask. Then he said, 'Tootaloo' in a high pitch. He said it the way my grandmother would say it. It was a word that she said. Not him. That was the last word that I heard him say.

After that, the nurses came in the room, put his oxygen back on, and gave him some kind of medication.  They commented on how good and peaceful he looked and how his skin was getting its color back. I said nothing of the experience at that time. I believe his soul had already left his body at that point. After the nurse left, I laid in the bed next to him and put one ear bud in my ear and one ear bud in his ear.  I put my arm around him and quietly sang some of his favorite songs to him. I felt a presence, like the bed was surrounded. I thought to myself that I am not frightened as I know it is all my family members. I feel so blessed to have been able to witness this. I have shared it with many people.

At the time of your experience was there an associated life-threatening event?   Yes  My grandfather was dying because a vein detached from his heart.

Was the experience difficult to express in words?  No    

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness?         Not sure how to answer. Normal consciousness

How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare to your normal everyday consciousness and alertness?      Normal consciousness and alertness   Not sure how to answer. Normal consciousness.

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.   I did not see anything. Only heard and felt.

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.   My hearing was normal.

Did you see or hear any earthly events that were occurring during a time that your consciousness / awareness was apart from your physical / earthly body?   No  

What emotions did you feel during the experience?   I felt amazed  

Did you pass into or through a tunnel?   No  

Did you see an unearthly light?   No  

Did you seem to encounter a mystical being or presence, or hear an unidentifiable voice?   No

Did you encounter or become aware of any beings who previously lived on earth who are described by name in religions (for example: Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, etc.)?   No  

Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased (or alive) beings?   Yes   I felt the presence of people in the room.

Did you become aware of past events in your life during your experience?   No  

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world?   No

Did time seem to speed up or slow down?   No

Did you suddenly seem to understand everything?   No

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure?   No

Did you come to a border or point of no return?   No

Did scenes from the future come to you?  No 

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness suggesting that there either is (or is not) continued existence after earthly life (“life after death”)?   Yes   I was aware of a presence. After my experience I would have to conclude that there is some kind of afterlife.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that God or a supreme being either does (or does not) exist?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that you either did (or did not) exist prior to this lifetime?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that a mystical universal connection or unity/oneness either does (or does not) exist?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding earthly life’s meaning or purpose?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding earthly life’s difficulties, challenges, or hardships?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding love?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any other specific information / awareness that you have not shared in other questions that is relevant to living our earthly lives?   No  

Did you have a sense of knowing special knowledge or purpose?   No  

What occurred during your experience included:   Content that was both consistent and not consistent with the beliefs you had at the time of your experience   The experience was consistent with my beliefs except the part about smelling cigarette smoke. I did smell that in the room very strong right before the feeling of presence. My grandfather came from a large Italian family and people told me that you could see the cigarette smoke hanging in the air at thier house.

How accurately do you remember the experience in comparison to other life events that occurred around the time of the experience?   I remember the experience as accurately as other life events that occurred around the time of the experience     

My experience directly resulted in:   Unknown

Did you have any changes in your values or beliefs after the experience that occurred as a result of the experience?   No  

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience?   No       

Have you ever shared this experience with others?   Yes  I shared it the next day with my grieving family members.

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience?   Yes   I read books on the subject.

What did you believe about the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened:   Experience was definitely real  

What do you believe about the reality of your experience at the current time:   Experience was definitely real   For me it was definitely real as I know what I heard, felt and smelled.

Have your relationships changed specifically as a result of your experience?   No  

Have your religious beliefs/spiritual practices changed specifically as a result of your experience?   No  

At any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience?   No     

Did the questions asked and information that you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?   Yes